Bow and method for making same



. July 8, 1958 G. WANCHEK BOW AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 50, 1955 I N V EN TOR. 4732/ %mc% United States Patent 2,841,905 BOW AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME Gustav Wanchek, Salinas, Califl, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Chicago Printed String Company, a corporation of Delaware Application December 30, 1955, Serial No. 556,486 Claims. (CI. 41-10) This invention relates to a decorative bow adapted for use in enhancing the esthetic appearance of gift wrappings for packages and the like, and furthermore to the method of making or forming such bow.

The formation of a decorative bow of the pompon variety has always required the talents of a person skilled in the art of bow forming and in addition normally required considerable time and elfort of one so skilled. For this reason in merchandising establishments, such as department stores, it has become the customary practice to establish a separate gift wrapping section and/or to charge the customer a nominal amount for wrapping the purchase of the customer in a decorative manner.

Because of the skill required in forming a decorative bow of this type, the amateur or unskilled gift wrapper has been somewhat reluctant to utilize such a bow.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a decorative bow which is possessed of a most esthetic and pleasing appearance and yet may be readily formed by a person not skilled'in the art of bow-making.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a decorative bow the appearance of which may be readily varied at the time of its formation without materially complicating the forming of such bow.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a decorative bow which enables difierent color and size ribbons to be simultaneously used to form a multicolor bow of unique configuration.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a decorative bow which may be partially formed and, when in such a state, be readily and conveniently packed with numerous other bows in a like state, thereby permitting a large number of such bows to be shipped in a compact container without the bows being damaged during shipment.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a bow is provided comprising a first section formed of a predetermined length of relatively fiat resilient ribbon provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures. The portions of the ribbon intermediate the apertures are alternately looped in opposite directions whereby the apertures are disposed in substantially registered relation. Cooperating with the first section is an elongated, pliable, attenuated second section having one end thereof threaded through the registered apertures of said firstv section. The other end of the second section is provided with stop means which is impassable with respect to the registered apertures of the first section. The first section, when the apertured portions thereof are moved relative to the threaded portion of said second section in a direction toward the stop means, has the alternate loop portions thereof automatically twisting relative to one another about said threaded portion of said second section as an axis. 1

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the improved bow with the first and second sections thereof in assembled relation but prior to the apertured portions of said first section, being moved relative to the threaded portion of said second section in a direction toward the stop means provided at one end of said second section.

Fig. 2 is a right side view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bow shown in Fig. l but subsequent to the apertured portions of the first section, being moved relative to the threaded portion of said second section in direction toward the stop means on said second section whereby automatic twisting of the alternate loop portions of the first section about said second section as an axis has commenced.

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken along lines 44 and 55 respectively of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the bow shown in Fig. 1 after it has been completely formed.

Figs. 7-9 are top plan views of modified forms of the improved bow shown completely formed.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of bow wherein the first and second sections thereof are of integral construction.

Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to Figs. 1-6, one form of the improved bow of a pompon variety is shown which comprises two separate sections 21 and 22. Section 21, in this instance, consists of a predetermined length of relatively flat, resilient ribbon,

having formed therein a plurality of uniformly spaced apertures 23 disposed centrally and longitudinally of said ribbon. The ribbon, of which section 21 is formed, is preferably of a type wherein the opposite surfaces of V the ribbon are substantially the same; however, this is not an essential requirement, but

. registered apertures 23.

an attenuated piece of pliable material such as ribbon or A enhances theesthetic appearance of the finished bow. Section 21 is deformed so that the apertures 23 thereof are in substantially registered relation, and the portions 24 of the ribbon intermediate the apertures are alternately looped in opposite directions, as shown, to form a member of substantially sinusoidal configuration. One end 25 of section 21, however, if desired, may be formed into substantially a circle or closed loop, as shown, for a purpose to be discussed more fully hereinafter. i

Subsequent to section 21 being deformed, in a manner as shown in Fig. 1, wherein the apertures 23' thereof are disposed in-spaced, substantially registered, coaXially relation, one end 22a of section Section 22 is constructed from the like and is of such a cross-sectional dimension as 'to permit the center portion 22b of section 2 2 to readily pass through the registered apertures. of section 22 is provided with a stop means 27, such as a knot, button or the like which is impassable'with respect to the apertures 23. The length of the center por- H tion 22b of section 22 will depend loops formed in section 21.

upon the number of In order to form 'a pompon type of bow having a most esthetic and desirable appearance,it is essential that at least'four loops 24 be formed on each side of the centerline of the registered apertures 23. Under any circumstances it is necessary that the length of section portion 22b be of greater extent than the corresponding length of the apertures 23, when section 21 is in'the position as shown inFig. 1 (i. e. when the aperture-forming portions of the legs 26 interconnecting the loops spaced relation, centerline are in line contact with one another).

22 is threaded through the The opposite end centerline of the registered 24 are in relatively and adjacentloops on a given side of the After the first section 21 has been threaded by second section 22, in a manner as shown in Fig. l, a manual force A is applied to the bottom leg 26 of the loop, that is, the leg adjacent the end 22a of section 22, in a direction toward the end of section 22 provided with stop means 27. .Upon force A being so applied, see Fig. 3, section 21 is moved relative to section 22, and the loops 24 disposed on opposite sides of section center portion 22b automatically twist relative to one another about said center portion as an axis. The force A is applied to the aperture-forming portion of the lowermost leg 26 until all of the aperture-forming portions of the other legs 26 of the various loops are in abutting relation with one another and compressed against stop means 27. To maintain the legs 26 in their compressed relation, the center portion 22b of section 22 may be knotted or otherwise provided with a stop means, not shown, which is impassable with respect to the apertures 23. The size or diameter of the registered openings 23 is such as to permit the loops to readily twist relative to section portion 22b in a manner as shownin Fig. 3.

If desired, the deforming of end 25 of section 21 into a closed loop, which effects concealment of stop means 27, when the bow is completed, may be omitted, thereby exposing the stop means 27 as shown in the modified bow 29, seen in Fig. 8. It should be noted that the apertures 23 formed in section 21 are shown and have been described as being uniformly spaced; however, the scope of the invention is not to be so limited but is to include a construction wherein the aperture spacing is nonuniform or wherein other than adjacent or successive apertures are arranged in registered relation. The modified form 28 of bow shown in Fig. is substantially the same as bow 20 except that sections 21 and 22 are made integral with one another, and a knot 30 is formed at the juncture of these sections which is impassable with respect to the apertures 23. It should also be noted that the length of section portion 22b may, if desired, be longer than the minimum length theretofore discussed so that the free end portions thereof may be spread apart and brought into encompassing relation with a package, box, or object to which the bow is to be applied.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show other variations of the improved bow which might be readily incorporated without departing from. the scope of this invention and would not materially complicate the formation of the bow. In Fig. 7, for example, two separate predetermined lengths of apertured ribbon are utilized which comprise a section corresponding to the first section 21 heretofore described. In this. instance, one of the lengths of ribbon is initially threaded by a second section 22, not shown, to form a front or center portion 31 of the finished bow 39. Following this initial threading of the first length, the second length of ribbon, which comprises the first section, may be threaded onto section 22 to form the back portion 32 of the bow. The spacing between the apertures in the second length may be greater than in the first length, thereby resulting in loops of greater extent being formed in the second length of ribbon.

Furthermore, in the bow shown in Fig. 7, the legs forming each loop are not folded back upon themselves as in the case of the bow shown in Fig. 1, but instead are deformed so that one leg is twisted through an arc of 180 with respect to the other leg of the loop before the legs are brought into overlapping relation. The end 34 of the length of ribbon forming center portion 31 is deformed to form a circle or closed loop 34, which is similar to thatshown in Fig. 1, so that the stop means or knot 27 formed at one end of section 22 will be concealed from view when the bow is formed.

The modified bow 29, shown in Fig. 8, is closely akin to -;bow '39 shown in Fig. 7 except that the end circle or closed loop 34 has'been omitted, thereby exposing the stop means or-knot 27' when'the bow is formed. Further-- more, the spacing between the apertures formed inthe lengths of ribbon comprising the first section of bow 29 are substantially the same, thereby effecting loops of substantially the same size.

The bow 35, shown in Fig. 9, comprises a first section which includes three separate strands or pieces of ribbon 36, 37, and 38 which are of substantially the same width and have substantially the same spacing between the apertures formed therein. In this instance, each strand of ribbon is initially deformed in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 1 except that the legs forming each loop are interlaced with respect to one another and twisted in a manner as shown and described with respect to bows 29 and 39. Subsequent to the deforming and interlacing of pieces 3638, a second section 22 is threaded through the registered openings of the pieces, and then the legs of the loops compressed against stop means 27 formed on section 22. Following the formation of the bow loops, the bight portions of each loop may be pressed together to form a relatively sharp point 40 on each loop, see Fig. 9.

It will be readily recognized that various colors and sizes of ribbon may be used in combination with one another to form numerous multicolored decorative bows. In addition, the spacing between the apertures of a ribbon may, if desired, be nonuniform, resulting in a bow possessed of a unique esthetic appearance. The improved bow, when in the form shown in Fig. 1, may be utilized,

if desired, as a decorative pendant for ornamenting a Christmas tree, or the like.

Thus, it will be seen that an improved how has been provided which is most decorative and pleasing in appearance and, yet, may be readily formed by one not possessed of a particular skill.

While several embodiments of this invention are shown above, it will be understood, of course, that the inven tion is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A bow comprising a first section formed of a predetermined length of relatively fiat, resilient ribbon provided with uniformly and longitudinally spaced apertures, the portions of said ribbon intermediate adjacent apertures being alternately looped in opposite directions to form at least eight loops, four of said loops being disposed on opposite sides of the apertures arranged in substantially registered relation, the bight of each loop being spaced from said registered apertures, an elongated, attenuated, pliable second ribbon section integrally formed with said first section and having one end thereof threaded through said registered apertures, and extending a substantial distance beyond the end loop of said first section, the other end of said second section being integral with the other end loop of said first section, the portion of said second section intermediate the ends thereof being loosely disposed within the threaded apertured portions of said first section, and stop means located at the juncture of said first and second sections and impassable with respect to said registered apertures; said first section, when the apertured portions thereof are moved relative to said second section into a gathered position against said stop means, effecting automatic twisting of said loops about said second section as an axis to form a substantially pompon type how.

2. A method of forming a substantially pompon type bow which comprises deforming a predetermined length of substantially flat, resilient apertured ribbon into a substantial sinusoid wherein apertures of said ribbon are in relatively spaced registered relation with respect to one another, loosely threading one end of an elongated, attenuated, pliable member through said relatively spaced registercd apertures and having said-"one end ex tending a substantial distance beyond the last threaded apertured portion of said deformed ribbon length, the other end of said member being impassable with respect to said apertures, integral with one end of said ribbon and exerting a force on the last threaded apertured portion of said deformed ribbon length in a direction toward the impassable end of said member until said threaded apertured portions are successively gathered against said impassable end of said member whereby the portions of said ribbon length intermediate said threaded apertures automatically twist about said member as an axis.

3. A bow comprising a first section having a plurality of pieces of substantially the same length formed of relatively flat, resilient ribbon provided with longitudinally spaced apertures, the portions of said pieces intermediate predetermined apertures being alternately looped in opposite directions to form interlacing substantial sinusoids whereby said predetermined apertures of said ribbon pieces are disposed in substantially spaced registered relation, an elongated, attenuated, pliable second ribbon section integral with said. first section having one end thereof loosely threaded through said predetermined registered apertures, and stop means provided at the opposite end of said second section and being impassable with respect to said predetermined registered apertures; said first section, when the predetermined apertured portions thereof are moved relative to said second section into compressed relation with respect to said stop means, having the alternate loop portions thereof automatically twisting relative to one another about said second section as an axis.

4. A method of forming a pompon-type bow, which comprises making a knot in a length of apertured ribbon intermediate the ends thereof, whereby said knot is impassable with respect to said ribbon apertures and the segments of said ribbon disposed on opposite sides of said knot are of unequal length, deforming the longer segment of said ribbon into a plurality of loops extending alternately in opposite directions with predetermined ribbon apertures in relatively spaced registered relation, loosely threading the shorter ribbon segment through said relatively spaced registered ribbon apertures until the free end of said shorter segment extends a substantial distance beyond the loop formed adjacent the free end of said longer ribbon segment, exerting a force on said end loop in a direction toward said knot to effect gathering of saidv loops against said knot, said loops, upon relative movement thereof into said gathered position, automatically twisting about said threading segment as an axis.

5. A decorative bow formed in accordance With the method recited in claim 4.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,681,525 James June 22, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,610 Austria May 15, 1903 

